Sliding component and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

Provided is a sliding component having a low coefficient of friction and capable of exerting stable sliding characteristics from the initial stage of sliding, and a manufacturing method capable of easily manufacturing the sliding component. A sliding component ( 1 ) includes an iron substrate ( 10 ), in which graphite particles ( 13 ) are dispersed in an iron base ( 11 ), and a tin coating ( 20 ) formed on the iron substrate ( 10 ), the tin coating ( 20 ) including tin as a main material. The graphite particles ( 13 ) of the sliding component ( 1 ) are exposed through the tin coating ( 20 ). The manufacturing method includes: a preparation step of preparing an iron substrate ( 10 ) including graphite particles ( 13 ) dispersed in an iron base ( 11 ); and a film forming step of forming a tin coating ( 20 ) on the surface of the iron substrate ( 10 ), the tin coating ( 20 ) including tin as a main material. The film forming step forms the tin coating ( 20 ) so that the graphite particles ( 13 ) are exposed through the tin coating ( 20 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a sliding component, comprising:
 a preparation step of preparing an iron substrate including graphite particles dispersed in an iron base, the graphite particles being exposed on a surface; and   a film forming step of forming a tin coating on the surface of the iron substrate, the tin coating including tin as a main material,   the film forming step forming the tin coating so that the graphite particles are exposed through the tin coating, and   the film forming step projecting tin particles including tin as a main material to a surface of the iron base to let a part of the tin particles adhere to the surface of the iron base where the graphite particles are not exposed.   
     
     
         2 . The method for manufacturing a sliding component according to  claim 1 , wherein the preparation step prepares the iron substrate including the graphite particles that are scaly graphite particles. 
     
     
         3 . The method for manufacturing a sliding component according to  claim 1 , wherein the film forming step projects the tin particles that are particles including tin or particles including zinc, silver, antimony, lead, indium, or bismuth added to tin to the iron substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The method for manufacturing a sliding component according to  claim 1 , wherein, following the film forming step, the surface of the tin coating is pressed toward the iron substrate to let the graphite particles protrude from the surface of the iron base, and allow the graphite particles to be exposed through the surface of the tin coating. 
     
     
         5 . The method for manufacturing a sliding component according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heat treatment step, following the film forming step, of heating the tin coating at a temperature of 120° C. or higher.